As workers in California experience many changes, one such positive change is an increase in the minimum wage. By this summer the minimum wage in California will increase by one dollar.

Our employment lawyers in Orange County are aware that many individuals are struggling to make ends meet when their pay is unacceptably low. To combat this problem, and help low income workers, California has introduced a minimum wage increase to $9 per hour.

The change in the minimum wage law will occur on July 1, 2014. Although there are many changes to California’s employment laws as of 2014, the minimum wage increase is high on the list of important changes.

Under the same legislation, the minimum wage will increase again, to $10 per hour in 2016.

Unions have supported the increase as a badly-needed reform that will benefit many low-income workers in the state.

By the end of 2012 there were over 45,000 workers in Orange County who made less than $9 per hour.

Clearly, many in the business community are not excited about seeing the cost of employing workers increase.

Immigrant worker protections are another area where California has led the charge and made important changes.

Legislators have made significant changes to the law in California which will assist and protect immigrant workers. California has a significant immigrant population and this legislation will likely have a significant impact.

One of the important changes made to help immigrant workers is AB 263. AB 263 levies fines and possible criminal charges against an employer who reports or even threatens to report an employee’s immigration status to the authorities.

Another immigrant worker protection bill, AB 524, makes a change to the way extortion is defined and includes threats to report an immigrant’s status to authorities.

The new legislation also protect immigrant families and another measure, AB 60, will allow immigrants who are undocumented to receive a valid driver’s license.

Another change to the California employment law landscape involves increased whistleblower laws. SB 496, aims to prevent employees from retaliation for reporting or threatening to report possible workplace violations.

Now, under California law, employees who report the suspected wrongdoing of their employer or authority figures will be protected termination or demotion.

A final important change in California employment law involves a positive shift in the overtime pay regulations for in-home workers.

AB 241 creates mandatory overtime pay for a worker who completes more than 9 hours of work in one day or works more than 45 hours in a week. This significant change will affect many individuals, including housekeepers and nannies.

Some of the changes to California’s employment laws may seem nuanced but they can have a huge positive impact for employees throughout the state.

Orange County employment lawsuits can be filed with assistance from the Nassiri Law Group, practicing in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County. Call 714-937-2020.